She had no idea what time it was; in fact, she did not care even
what Nancy Ellen thought or whether she would worry. The night
was wonderful; John Jardine had now made a man of himself worthy
of all consideration; being made love to by him was enchanting.
She had been occupied with the stern business of daily bread for
so long that to be again clothed as other women and frankly adored
by such a man as John Jardine was soul satisfying. What did she
care who worried or what time it was?
"But I'm keeping you here until you will be wet with these mists,"
John Jardine cried at last. "Forgive me, Kate, I never did have
any sense where you were concerned! I'll take you back now, but
you must promise me to meet me here in the morning, say at ten
o'clock. I'll take you back now, if you'll agree to that."
"There's no reason why I shouldn't," said Kate.
"And you're free, free!" he repeated.
The veranda, halls, and ballroom were deserted when they returned
to the hotel. As Kate entered her room, Nancy Ellen sat up in bed
and stared at her sleepily, but she was laughing in high good
humour. She drew her watch from under her pillow and looked at
it.
"Goodness gracious, Miss!" she cried. "Do you know it's almost
three o'clock?"
"I don't care in the least," said Kate, "if it's four or five.
I've had a perfectly heavenly time. Don't talk to me. I'll put
out the light and be quiet as soon as I get my dress off. I think
likely I've ruined it."
"What's the difference?" demanded Nancy Ellen, largely. "You can
ruin half a dozen a day now, if you want to."
"What do you mean?" asked Kate.
"'Mean?'" laughed Nancy Ellen. "I mean that I saw John Jardine or
his ghost come up to you on the veranda, looking as if he'd eat
you alive, and carry you away about nine o'clock, and you've been
gone six hours and come back having had a 'perfectly heavenly
time.' What should I mean! Go up head, Kate! You have earned
your right to a good time. It isn't everybody who gets a second
chance in this world. Tell me one thing, and I'll go to sleep in
peace and leave you to moon the remainder of the night, if you
like. Did he say he still loved you?"
"Still and yet," laughed Kate. "As I remember, his exact words
were that he 'never had loved and never would love any other
woman.' Now are you satisfied?"
Nancy Ellen sprang from the bed and ran to Kate, gathering her in
her strong arms. She hugged and kissed her ecstatically. "Good!
Good! Oh, you darling!" she cried. "There'll be nothing in the
world you can't have! I just know he had gone on making money; he
was crazy about you. Oh, Kate, this is too good! How did I ever
think of coming here, and why didn't I think of it seven years
ago? Kate, you must promise me you'll marry him, before I let you
go."